Nigerian youngster Ethan Nwaneri on Sunday emerged the youngest ever Premier League player aged 15 years and 181 days as the Gunners defeated Brentford to return to the top of the table.
According to eurosport.com reports, Nwaneri takes the record off Harvey Elliott, who has held the accolade since 2019 when he made his debut for Fulham. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said it was a “pure gut feeling” that made him select Nwaneri.
Nwaneri came on as a substitute in the Gunners’ comfortable 3-0 win over the Bees on Sunday, replacing Fabio Vieira as the game neared its conclusion.
Arsenal’s travelling fans greeted Nwaneri’s appearance by singing: “He’s going to school in the morning.”
The 15-year-old has clearly impressed boss Mikel Arteta in his performances for the under-21s side so far this season and he has been rewarded with a place on the bench at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Nwaneri has been training with the first team squad for the last few weeks after impressing for the U18s and U21s this season. He is seen to be a player with a huge future at the Emirates Stadium and has been handed the number 83 shirt.
In 2021, he had marked his under-18s debut with a stunning strike against Reading at just 14-years-old, catching the eye of Gunners supporters who are hoping for big things from the promising talent.
In quotes relayed by Football. London, Arteta said at the post-match press conference: “It was a pure gut feeling. I met the boy (and) really liked what I saw. Per Mertesacker and the academy staff are giving me really good information, Edu as well.
“I met him, he’s trained a couple of times with us.”